--- title: The Jade Treasure — Gleanings from Chinese folklore · full text with trees description: The Jade Treasure, «Gleanings from Chinese folklore» by Nellie Naomi Russell: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Among the ancient dynasties of China that of the Chou, 1123 B.C., ranks as one of the most important. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/11/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Gleanings from Chinese folklore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/) / The Jade Treasure # The Jade Treasure The Jade Treasure of «Gleanings from Chinese folklore» by Nellie Naomi Russell: the whole text, 58 sentences and 1289 words. 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Among the ancient dynasties of China that of the Chou, 1123 B.C., ranks as one of the most important.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") The name of its founder, Wu Wang, means “Warrior Prince,” and, though an usurper, he was a most exemplary monarch.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") At that time there was constant conflict between the many petty states, or kingdoms, each striving for the first place.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") An interesting story is told of one of the great treasures of the Kingdom of Chou.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") One day a poor workman found in the mountains a piece of jade in the rough.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") He saw that, with polishing, it would be most beautiful; and, making his way to the city, he sought the gatekeeper of the Imperial Palace and asked to see his Emperor.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") As he declined to give a reason, other than “I have business,” his request was refused.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Day after day he came until the officer in charge mentioned the matter to the Emperor, who said that the next time he was to be brought before him.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Coming again some days later he was taken to the audience-room.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Here he prostrated himself before his Emperor and, holding out the stone, said, “My Master, my Lord; in all the world under Heaven there is no second piece of jade equal to this.”[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") The Emperor looked and laughed, saying, “You are a fool; that is only a stone, common stone.”[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") The man plead so hard that the Emperor sent out and called in some expert workmen in precious stones, and they also looked lightly upon it and said, “Only stone, only stone.”[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") The Emperor then commanded that the man be beaten and driven from the gate.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") This was done.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") A few days after the man again appeared and plead his cause so earnestly that a more expert workman was called who said, after careful examination, “Only stone, common stone.”[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the Emperor was very angry and commanded that the man’s legs be cut off and that he be sent home.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Months after the man was again carried to the palace gate; here he pleaded so pitifully that the first workman in the kingdom be called, saying, “If he says it is not good you may have my life.”[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") The Emperor was deeply impressed with the man’s persistence and had the most expert lapidary known called.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") After looking at the stone carefully he said, “Great Emperor, you are most favoured of the gods.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") I give you joy.”[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") “And why say you so?” the Emperor asked.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") “Because,” was the answer, “this stone is the most perfect jade under Heaven.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") You will be the envy of all the kingdoms of the earth.”[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") The Emperor was distrustful, but he commanded that it be cut and polished and the man who brought it be put in prison.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") After three days the master-workman returned and delivered, with great reverence, the stone, now indeed the most beautiful in all the world.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") “No words can describe its loveliness.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") It is indeed from the gods, and only the gods should wear it,” exclaimed the Emperor, as he held it in his hand.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") The poor workman was given a great reward.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Soon the fame of this wonderful treasure spread over “all the earth”; songs were composed about it; wonderful stories grew up around it until every king who heard of it was filled with envy and sought, by fair or foul means, to possess it.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") At last, when the Chou dynasty was going into a decline and the Chin was coming into power, the Prince of Chin sent to the Prince of Chou and promised him twelve cities in exchange for the jade treasure.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The Prince of Chou was very sad.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") He knew, if he did not accept the proposal, the Prince of Chin would make war on him and take it by force, and he also felt sure he would not get the promised cities.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") In his despair he called his most trusted minister, Lui Hsiang Jui, who, after hearing the demand, said, “My great and mighty Prince, do not be troubled or anxious; let me take the treasure to the Prince of Chin.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") I promise, on my life, to send it back to you if indeed he does not make over the promised cities.”[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") At last it was so decided, and the minister started on his errand.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") On reaching the palace of the Prince of Chin, he was welcomed with great state and pomp.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") After the feasting and festivities were over he presented the jade with great reverence and asked for the twelve cities.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") The Prince of Chin said nothing in return, but feasted his eyes on the beautiful stone.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") At last he said, “The residents of the inner palace” (i.e., ladies) “have heard of this wonderful stone and are most anxious to see it.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") I will send it in to them and you make ready for a second feast I have prepared in your honour.”[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") The minister went to the apartments appointed for him, in great distress of mind.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") He felt sure the Prince of Chin was not to be trusted, and he must think of some plan by which he could recover the jewel.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") At the feast nothing was said of the cities, though he inquired about them, and at last he pointedly asked, “Prince of the Great Chin, do you know what it is in the jade that makes it the most beautiful the gods have made?”[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") The Prince replied, “No, tell me.”[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") The minister replied, “Have the jade brought and I will show you.”[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Immediately a servant was sent to bring the jade and at the command of the Prince handed it to the Minister of Chou, who, on feeling it once more in his hand, put it in his bosom and sprang to his feet.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Putting his back against a pillar, he said, “Great Prince, you think to deceive my master, the very Great Prince of Chou; you do not intend to give him the twelve cities.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") With my life I will protect this treasure of my country, the pride of my Prince, and if any one attempts to take it from me I will dash it to the ground and destroy it first.”[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") The Prince of Chin was afraid the jade would either be injured or destroyed if a struggle for possession took place, so he caused the minister to be locked in his rooms until he should willingly give it up.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") The news spread all through the kingdom.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") One day a poorly-clad stranger came to the city and went from house to house begging.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") When he came to the court where the Minister of Chou was confined, he managed to communicate with him and let him know that he was a countryman of his and would take the treasure home.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") The minister, Lui Hsiang Jui, folded it in a paper and gave it to him.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") The next day the Prince of Chin sent and demanded the jade.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") The minister said, “Tell your Great Prince I have sent it back, as I promised, to my Liege Lord.”[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") At first they did not believe his story and a great search was made, but they could find no trace of the treasure.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") The Prince of Chin was terribly angry and commanded that the minister be killed; then, for fear of the Prince of Chou, he allowed him to depart to his home and country, hoping that the fortunes of war would bring the desired jewel into his possession.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") He himself did not live to secure it, but long years afterward one of his descendants overthrew the Kingdom of Chou and the much desired and long struggled for jade treasure, “The joy of the gods,” came to the Kingdom of Chin.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [A Chinese Tea-house Story](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/10/) - next →: [Chinese Heroism](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/12/) - ↑ back to [Gleanings from Chinese folklore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75089/)